Purpose - Open access electronic journals have transformed scholarly communication by providing unrestricted access to research outputs. However, the increased accessibility and dissemination of digital content have also heightened the risk of copyright infringement. This study examines the major copyright infringement risks associated with open access electronic journals and evaluates their implications for authors, publishers, and academic institutions.

Design/methodology/approach - The study adopts a qualitative research methodology based on a comprehensive review of scholarly literature, copyright laws, open access policies, licensing frameworks, and publishing practices. Relevant academic sources were analyzed to identify key infringement risks and emerging challenges within open access publishing environments.

Findings - The findings indicate that unauthorized reproduction, improper content reuse, plagiarism, licensing violations, image misuse, and data ownership disputes represent the most significant copyright risks in open access electronic journals. While open access enhances knowledge dissemination, inadequate awareness of copyright obligations often contributes to legal and ethical concerns.

Practical implications - The study provides guidance for publishers, editors, researchers, librarians, and policymakers regarding copyright compliance and risk mitigation strategies. Strengthening licensing awareness and copyright governance can reduce infringement risks while supporting sustainable open access publishing.

Originality/value - This paper contributes to the growing literature on copyright protection in digital publishing by examining infringement risks specific to open access electronic journals and proposing practical measures to enhance legal compliance.